Spray device for household and laundry purposes



H. P. JENKS May 10, 1938.

SPRAY DEVICE FOR HOUSEHOLD AND LAUNDRY PURPOSES B Harve yBJenZzs, Z M 11%,

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Filed Jan. 26, 1957 I l l I I l l I I I Patented May 10, 1938 UNITED STATES SPRAY DEVICE FOR HOUSEHOLD AND LAUNDRY PURPOSES Harvey P. Jenks, Newton, Mass. Application January 26, 1937, Serial No. 122,383

5 Claims.

My present invention relates to spray apparatus and more particularly aims to provide a simple unitary device or appliance which may conveniently be used in domestic households and in: commercial laundries, especially in connection with moistening clothing and the like preparatory to ironing, and susceptible of other household uses.

In the drawing, illustrating by way of example certain embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 1 shows in elevation one embodiment of the appliance as a Whole;

Fig 2. is a cross section of the spray and control head of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 shows in elevation a modified form of spray head and control.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the unitary appliance as illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2 comprises an attaching element comprising an intake tube or pipe 4 provided at one end with a coupling. 5 adapting it for connection with or reception at the outlet of a water faucet, cook or the like such as commonly used in connection with household. and other water supplies. The inlet member and the coupling may be variously constructed, in some instances of rubber or the like adapting them for frictional reception on a non-threaded water outlet, but as shown the inlet or receiving element 4 is of metal and the coupling 5 is an internally threaded collar preferably having capacity for turning relative to the pipe l, in the manner of a garden hose connection.

Because the flow of the usual household water supply is greater and under more pressure than is required or desirable for the purposes of the present invention, I preferably provide means for by-passing or spilling a portion of the supply. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the intake pipe 4 accordingly is formed with an offset or laterally projecting part 6 terminating in a downward extension "I. Said laterally offset portion 6 has formed in it a passage 8 of reduced or relatively constricted diameter opening into a larger channel 9 extending longitudinally through the downward extension I. The constricted passage 8 may be made of such size as to by-pass the desired portion of the total supply of water, and the latter is discharged downwardly, generally into the sink or set-tub, under reduced pressure, by reason of the relatively large discharge passage 9. The provision of by-pass means such as disclosed prevents an objectionable building up of the water pressure at the closed nozzle to be described and avoids an initial burst or overdischarge" of water which would be objectionable in many instances, particularly where my device is used forspraying clothes or other articles oi laundry preliminary to ironing them.

Atits end opposite the coupling 5 the receiv- 5 ing element or intake pipe 4" has secured to it, as by a ferrule or clip I l], one end of a flexible hose ll of rubber or other suitable material. This flexible hose connection may be of any desired length to extend from the available water sup- 10 my outlet to a convenient point of use, as for example from a faucet ata household kitchen sink to the user's position at an adjacent ironing board; table or the like. At its other or free end the hose is attached as by a ferrule, clip or 15 ring 12 to the intake portion of a spray and control head, of which two forms are herein illustrated-by way of example.

In. the preferred form of- Figs. 1 and 2, the spray and control head comprises the receiving portion or inlet l3 opening into an angularly disposed head portion l4; At its outer or lower end said head 14 is threaded as at ii for the reception of a nozzle l6 having a spray-forming outlet H constructed and arranged to discharge 25 the water in: substantially atomized or mist-like form Said nozzle-receiving end of the head, as illustrated, is formed with a tapered seat ii] for a valve: l9 at the end of a stem 20 supported for longitudinal reciprocating movement in the head; The latter has a rearward extension or housing 21 in general alignment with the discharge end of the head and providing within it a seat 22 for the inner end of a spring 23 bearing outwardly against the inner face of an operat- 35 ing element, finger-piece or button 24 on the outer end of the valve stem 20. Downward pressure on this button 24, as by the operator's thumb; will act to'unseat or open the valve and allow the discharge of a water mist or spray from: the nozzle. Release of the valve automatically shuts off the Water at the spray head, but without necessitating the closing of the faucet, cock or the like during a total operating period in which the spray is used intermittently, at the will of the operator.

As previously stated the length of the hose connection H is made such that the spray head is rendered conveniently available to the hand of the operator, such as a person doing ironing at a location as. customary in a domestic household or in a commercial laundry. The spray head may be laid in conveniently accessible position on the ironing board or table or may be hung-011 a hook at some'readily accessible point near at hand. It will be noted that the receiving extension 13 of the spray head is so arranged that it may be grasped by the users hand and that in so doing the valve control button 24 naturally comes conveniently adjacent the operators thumb. And since the spray nozzle is offset in angular relation to the handle or inlet member l3 and to the natural direction of the users Wrist and forearm, it is easily directed downwardly or as necessary to deliver the spray mist upon the clothing, linen, or other article or material to be moistened. In the em-..

bodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 the head member 14 has an annular flange 25 which may serve as an upward abutment for one or more fingers of the users hand, for conveniently opposing the pressure applied by the thumb upon the valve button 24, and hence affording further ease in manipulation.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 3 the flexible hose ll, suitably adapted for connection with the Water-supply outlet, for example, as in Fig. l, is attached as by a ring clip 21 at the end of a substantially straight pipe or coupling 28 having a threaded portion 29 of reduced diameter supporting a nozzle 30 at its outer end. In this instance the nozzle has a laterally disposed mist discharge opening 3|. The shut-01f or control means in this instance comprises an externally operative spring clamping device, of internal spring-metal construction, including a central attaching portion 32 apertured for reception on the threaded element 29 and there secured in place as by a threaded sleeve 33. Extending oppositely from the attaching piece 32 are spring loops 3 3, 35 having their ends bent reversely and extended outwardly beyond the attaching piece 32, as at 36, 31. The closed portions of the loops are formed as at 38, 39 to engage upon opposite sides of the hose II, where they are held in place laterally as by means of the offset fingers 40, 41 disposed at the two sides of the .hose. By pressing together the finger-engageable outer portions 36, 31 of the spring clamping element, into engagement with the portions of the loops adjacent the attaching piece 32, serving as fulcra, the clamping portions 38, 39 are moved oppositely and outwardly away from each other to release the hose and permit a flow of water to the nozzle for discharge in mist form at the aperture 3|. Since in this instance the main portion of the spray head and the associated shut-01f means will normally be held in general alignment with the wrist and forearm of the user, the laterally discharging nozzle is employed, to afford a similarly convenient directive action for the mist as in connection with the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2.

My invention is not limited to the particular embodiments thereof illustrated and described herein, and I set forth its scope in my following claims:

1. A unitary spray appliance particularly for household and laundry purposes comprising, in combination, an attaching element adapted for reception at a Water-supply outlet, a flexible hose connected at one end to said attaching element, a laterally extending passage communicating with the hose adjacent said end thereof and opening to atmosphere to by-pass a portion of the flow from such outlet, and a spray and control head at the other end of the flexible hose, said head comprising an attaching and inlet portion, a communicating nozzle for discharging water in a substantially atomized mist, and associated flow-controlling means disposed for convenient operation by the operators hand which holds and directs the spray head, to permit or shut off at will a discharge of water mist upon the material to be moistened.

2. A household and laundry moistening appliance comprising, in combination, a flexible hose of convenient length to extend from a Water-supply outlet to an ironing station, means for attaching one end of the hose to such outlet, a laterally extending passage communicating with the hose adjacent said end thereof and opening to atmosphere to by-pass a portion of the flow from such outlet, a mist-forming discharge nozzle, a head element supporting the nozzle and apertured for passage of water thereto, means for attaching said head element at the free end of the hose and afiording an inlet for the water, a Water control valve in the head element, and externally accessible operating means for the valve, whereby a mist-like water spray may be discharged from and shut off at the nozzle substantially instantaneously at the will of the operator.

3. A household and laundry moistening appliance comprising, in combination, a flexible hose of convenient length to extend from a watersupply outlet to an ironing station, means for attaching one end of the hose to such outlet, a laterally extending passage communicating with the hose adjacent said end thereof and opening to atmosphere to by-pass a portion of the flow from such outlet, a mist-forming discharge nozzle, a

head element supporting the nozzle and providing a valve housing, a control valve for the nozzle disposed in said housing and having a valve stem extending rearwardly parallel to the direction of mist discharge, spring means normally closing said valve, an inlet and attaching member having a water passage communicating with said head and nozzle, said member being angularly disposed relative to the axis of discharge, means connecting said member to the free end of the hose, and an operating member engaging the valve stem and disposed at the rear of said head element in convenient position for manipu lation, instantly to open the valve by the users hand grasping said inlet and attaching member as a handle.

4. A household and laundry moistening appliance comprising, in combination, a flexible hose of convenient length to extend from a watersupply outlet to an ironing station, means for attaching one end of the hose to such outlet, means adjacent said end of the hose for continuously 5 by-passing a portion of the flow from such outlet While the latter is open, a nozzle adapted to discharge water in mist form, means for supporting and attaching the nozzle at the free end of the hose and in communication to receive water from it, and shut-01f and release means supported adjacent the nozzle, said means comprising a onepiece spring metal clamping device including an attaching portion and oppositely disposed looped elements having portions engageable with the hose normally to close it against passage of the water, said elements having their end portions extended beyond said attaching portion and reversely bent outwardly from the hose and so disposed that inward pressure thereon acts to spread the hose-engaging portions of the looped elements, to efiect a mist discharge, said end portions being readily so operated by the operator's hand which holds and directs the nozzle instantly to produce said discharge at the will of the operator.

5. A laundry moistening appliance comprising, in combination, a flexible hose of convenient length to extend from a water-supply outlet to an ironing station, combined attaching and flow by-passin-g means at one end of the hose, said means comprising a main longitudinal member having a flow-receiving passage through it and l having one end connected to the hose, a coupling element at the other end of said main member, for detachable connection to the water-supply outlet, and a laterally ofiset element having a passage of reduced diameter communicating with 15 the flow-receiving passage of said main member,

said reduced passage communicating with a further and larger-diametered passage in said offset element and opening to atmosphere to by-pass a portion of the flow, and a spray and control head at the other end of the flexible hose, said head comprising an attaching and inlet portion, a communicating nozzle for discharging 'water in a substantially atomized mist, and associated flow-controlling means disposed for convenient operation by the operators hand which holds and directs the spray head, to permit or shut ofi substantially instantaneously at will a discharge of water mist upon the material to be moistened. 

